The
Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) mission is a field research
investigation sponsored by the Science Mission Directorate
of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The field experiment will
extend from 1 July to 31 July 2005 and is based out of San Jose, Costa
Rica.
TCSP is focused on the study of the dynamics and thermodynamics of
precipitating cloud systems and its research will address: 1) tropical cyclone structure,
genesis, intensity change, moisture fields and rainfall; 2) satellite and aircraft remote sensor data assimilation and validation studies
pertaining to development of tropical cyclones; and 3) the role of upper tropospheric/lower stratospheric processes governing tropical cyclone outflow,
the response of wave disturbances to deep convection and the evolution of the upper
level warm core.
The NASA ER-2 research aircraft will collect targeted data
sets, in synergy with remote sensing observations provided by
NASA and other agencies.
The P3 Aircraft from the NOAA Hurricane Research Division (HRD)
will fly coordinated missions with the NASA research aircraft
to investigate
developing tropical disturbances. For additional information
about TCSP, the instruments deployed in the field phase, and
its research,
see the TCSP
website.
As part of TCSP, scientists in MMM will
examine the dynamics of tropical cyclone formation
using the Weather Research and Forecasting model and
ensemble-based data assimilation techniques. Their objectives
are 1) to understand the initiation of mature convective systems
and their transformation to warm-core systems and 2) to evaluate
the potential of ensemble-based assimilation for tropical cyclones
and remotely sensed observations. Using computing resources
from NCAR's Scientific Computing Division,
MMM is also conducting real-time high-resolution simulations
to support the TCSP field phase and to provide an initial set
of simulations
for
investigation.
WRF Realtime TCSP Forecast Staff:
Research: Chris Snyder, Chris Davis
Forecast Image Production: Sherrie Fredrick
Website & Online Forecasts: Kristin Conrad
Weather Research & Forecasting Model in MMM
For more information on the WRF mesoscale model, please visit http://wrf-model.org.
For more information on the Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Division
at NCAR, please visit http://www.mmm.ucar.edu
NASA's Tropical Cloud Systems & Processes Project
For more information on TCSP, please
visit http://camex.nsstc.nasa.gov/tcsp/
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